How to watch NBA 2017-2018 season online with Kodi

The 2017-2018 NBA is fast approaching and basketball fans around the world are looking for the best way to enjoy all the action that the new season is set to bring. The 2017-2018 season starts in October and one of the best option to stream all the matches with high quality is to use Kodi. This free and open source software offers a comprehensive home theater experience that allows you to enjoy media from a wide variety of sources. Kodi is compatible with Windows, Android, macOs, iOS and Linux, and it can also be used with popular streaming devices like Chormecast and Amazon Fire TV. The core of Kodi’s functionality is the variety of add-ons available that allow you to access a wider selection of content.

Kodi can be downloaded for free form the official website: https://kodi.tv/download and once you have installed it, you will be able to select from a variety of add-ons, including options for those who want to stream NBA games. There are many add-ons available and some of them claim to be free. While we recommend to use official add-ons, we will also mention some third-party solutions that you can consider. Just keep in mind that NBA games are subject to copyright restrictions. It is up to you to decide whether you want to stream from sources that don’t have the required licenses, but we don’t encourage it.

Getting started

It should be noted that although official add-ons are the best option, they are not risk-free. Using unofficial Kodi add-ons to stream content can land you into trouble with copyright enforcers, but both official and unofficial add-ons are subject to throttling from your ISP. Since streaming consumes more bandwidth, some ISPs flag certain streaming sites and slow down your speed if you tend to use them regularly.

It should also be noted that Kodi add-ons could be used by hackers to access your system so it is important to be mindful of the ones you choose. An add-on could be compromised by a hacker and used to carry out a man-in-the-middle attack to spy on your activities and get access to your computer system. With a reliable VPN, you can enhance the anonymity of your connection to avoid throttling and to prevent your ISP and other parties from seeing what you do on the internet. Your connection will be protected with encryption, giving you peace of mind as your privacy won’t be compromised.

Another benefit of using a VPN is that if you need to access NBA games from outside the US, you will be able to bypass geographical blocks. NBA matches and other sporting events are likely to be subject to geographical restrictions, which means that they would only be available in specific countries. However, with a VPN service, you can connect to a server in a different location and enjoy content that is available there. You will be able to stream the NBA games you want, without dealing with this type of restrictions. There are several VPN services available in the market, but ExpressVPN, PureVPN, NordVPN, Buffered and Private Internet Access are some of the most effective and reliable options.

NBA broadcasting 2017-2018: official Kodi add-ons

For different networks hold the broadcasting rights for the upcoming season. These networks are ESPN, ABC, TNT and NBA TV. In order to enjoy NBA games using Kodi, you can rely on the below official add-ons. These add-ons offer great quality and will enable you to stream NBA games legally. Keep in mind that they may require a subscription to the service. Once you create an account, you can provide the account information and enter it into the Kodi add-on. Then you will be able to access the streams.

USTV Now

This is one of the best official Kodi add-ons available. It allows you to stream content from USTV Now via Kodi. You just need to create an account on the USTV Now website and download the app from the official Kodi Add-on repository. Once you link your account to the add-on, you will be able to start streaming. There are 7 channels available for free and you can get over 20 channels for a monthly subscription of $19.99. Since one of the free channels available is ABC, you will be able to watch some of the games. ESPN is available when you pay the monthly subscription. You can install USTV Now in Kodi by going to Add-ons, then Package Symbol, Install from repository, Kodi add-on repository, Video Add-ons, USTVnow and then Install. A VPN is needed to access the content.

NBA League Pass

It is possible to watch many of the games using the NBA League Pass online streaming subscription service. The NBA League Pass add-on can be found on the official Kodi add-on repository. First, open Kodi, then go to Add-ons, followed by Package Symbol and install from repository. Then Kodi add-on repository and Video Add-ons. Select NBA League Pass and Install. It is worth noting that a League Pass subscription for the full season costs $200 and it is only available in the United States. If you live in another country, you will need to use a VPN to bypass the restrictions. Simply connect to a server in the US to stream a game. It should also be noted that League Pass only offers audio streams of the playoff and finals. In order to access the videos, a cable subscription is required.

Sportsnet Now

Sportsnet is a Canadian service that holds streaming rights for several regular season games. It is possible to access Sportsnet via Kodi, as long as you have an account, which costs $24.99 CAD (around $20 USD) per month. Although the selection of NBA games is limited when compared to other services, Sportsnet is worth considering thanks to the fact that it offers access to MLB, NHL games, Premier League and more. It is possible to link your account information to the add-on after creating an account. Then you can start streaming. Sportsnet can be installed following these steps in the Kodi menu: Add-ons, Package Symbol, Install from repository, Kodi add-on repository, video Add-ons and Sportsnet Now, then select Install.

Unofficial Kodi Add-on

SportsDevil

Although it is advisable to stick to official Kodi add-ons, SportsDevil is worth mentioning since it is one of the most popular streaming solutions focused on sports. This add-on allows you to find a wide selection of streams from different sources. While some of the options available are from legitimate sources, a lot of the content available from SportsDevil comes from unauthorized sources, which could cause issues if copyright holders find out. This is why it is advisable to opt for the official add-ons.